Between the lines with James Patterson (Q&A w/ signed book giveaway)

by vent wing

Today, Hartford Books Examiner will be giving away a signed copy of James Patterson’s Treasure Hunters. For your chance to win, simply email HBE at HartfordBooksExaminer@aol.com before Monday, November 4th, at 11:59 PM EST and include “Giveaway” in the subject line. One winner will be selected at random.

The holder of the Guinness record for most #1 New York Times bestsellers ever by any author, Patterson’s books have sold more than 280 million copies since his first novel won the Edgar Award in 1977. His top-selling adult series include the beloved Alex Cross, Women’s Murder Club, and Detective Michael Bennett novels. Patterson is also a current bestseller in young adult and the middle grade categories, and is a passionate advocate for literacy. He has initiated the James Patterson Pageturner Awards, the ReadKiddoRead.com web site, and the College Book Bucks scholarships; he also continues to donate hundreds of thousands of books to schools within the United States as well as to troops stationed overseas.

Published in September, Treasure Hunters marks Patterson’s third collaboration with Chris Grabenstein (following I Funny and Daniel X: Armageddon). Publishers Weekly praised, “Though generally lighthearted, a frenetic sense of excitement and adventure permeates the nautical escapade, which features over-the-top situations and characters, and plenty of intrigue. There’s little time to breathe as the Kidds pinball from one spot of trouble to the next, making for a fun and fast-paced ride.” Further, Kirkus Reviews noted, “This new series promises it all: CIA spies, terrorists, stolen works of art and priceless treasure. More important, it delivers. A high-seas adventure that will entice even the most confirmed of landlubbers,” while Barnes & Noble extolled the book as “One exciting, jolly ocean jaunt.”

From the publisher:

From the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Middle School, the Worst Years of My Life and I Funny comes a brilliantly original new adventure series, jam-packed with action, humor, and heart!

The Kidd siblings have grown up diving down to shipwrecks and traveling the world, helping their famous parents recover everything from swords to gold doubloons from the bottom of the ocean. But after their parents disappear on the job, the kids are suddenly thrust into the biggest treasure hunt of their lives. They’ll have to work together to defeat dangerous pirates and dodge the hot pursuit of an evil treasure hunting rival, all while following cryptic clues to unravel the mystery of what really happened to their parents–and find out if they’re still alive.

Now, James Patterson reveals a few pages from the book of his life …

1) As a child, did you wear your literary lust loud and proud or were you a closet bibliophile?

Unfortunately, the bug didn’t bite me until I was already in college. I regret not getting into the habit earlier on, which is one reason my wife and I made sure our son got into reading for fun. Now he’s off to the races in high school, reading about politics and history—way ahead of my teenage self.

2) What book(s) were you likely to be caught keeping company with under the covers?

Well, now we’re getting down to business… kidding. I worked my way through college by heading the night shift at a psychiatric hospital. So I was up late reading absurdist playwrights like Ionesco, Beckett, Genet.

3) What are you reading currently & what is your initial impression?

I’m currently loving Nelson DeMille’s re-released The Quest, which I missed the first time around. A group is racing to find the Holy Grail in Ethiopia and it’s faster and smarter than Indiana Jones.

4) What one book do you always recommend when asked?

Recently, I’ve been raving about The Son by Phillip Meyer. For a tough read, I often recommend Ulysses.

5) Which of your own books would you suggest to readers & why?

The Michael Bennett series has a lot of heart—a New York City hostage negotiator loses his wife and must balance his heavy job with his ten adopted children.

My kids’ books are getting some really nice praise recently. I’m very proud of Treasure Hunters, which has adventure and jokes for middle school-aged kids. I have an upcoming book next year called Homeroom Diaries, which is funny and dark; I’d say it’s the sort of book I’ve always wanted to write and finally have.

My mantra is, while you’re getting a book for you, make sure you always pick up a book for your kid (and not just mine!).

6) Is there a book or author that readers would be surprised to know you’ve read and liked?

Captain Underpants…

Are you surprised?

7) Who is the one author that would, or did, make you weak in the knees upon meeting?

Charles Dickens would have been nice, I would love to get into his head.

8) Has there been an “I’ve made it” moment in your career?

I can’t tell you how rewarding it’s been since I’ve started writing for kids. When I get notes from parents saying my books have helped get their reluctant readers actually excited about books and reading… it’s on another plane.

9) What is your greatest literary ambition?

It would be nice to bring about a change in this country in terms of prioritizing books and reading. Right now we’re on a downward slope. Let’s make that an upward slope. I’m doing all I can to make it happen—from my Patterson Teacher Education Scholarships, to my website ReadKiddoRead.com, which recommends books to parents and educators, to my College and Summer Book Bucks programs, to my recent pledge to donate a million dollars to boost independent bookstores—I think we’re doing some good. But if more and more people paid attention to the fact that we need an active effort to reverse the trend, and more media spent time addressing it, we could do more.

10) Fill in the blank: Hartford Books Examiner is _____.

… a haven for finding great new books. Read more books, people!

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With thanks to James Patterson for gracing us with his virtual presence and to Sabrina Callahan, Publicity Manager for Little, Brown and Company, for facilitating this interview.

Don’t forget: For your chance to win a signed copy of Treasure Hunters, email HBE at HartfordBooksExaminer@aol.com by Monday, November 4th, at 11:59 PM EST and include “Giveaway” in the subject line.